Candy apparatus, system and method

ABSTRACT

A system, apparatus and methods for candy making are disclosed, wherein an apparatus for candy making may comprise a blade portion and a handle portion, and wherein the handle portion may be multiple times longer than the blade portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates generally to candy making devices used during thecooling and set-up of candy. Also disclosed are devices that are used tomix air into a candy body or pool, and more particularly, but notnecessarily entirely, to a hand operated candy making device.

Candy making is an age old occupation and various techniques have beenused for hundreds of years. Candy can be based on many ingredients, andone such primary ingredient is sugar and its many derivatives, such ascorn syrup. These sugar like bases can be cooked into a liquid state andthen manipulated into a final product. Often such manipulation involvesthe introduction of flavors and colors into the mixture. As the candymixture works its way toward becoming more solid, it can be increasinglydifficult to work. Under such circumstances, currently available toolslack the strength to operate effectively. Wood tools can break or leavewood particles in the mixture. All metal tools can, and do, conduct heataway from the mixture toward the user. In many cases a user simply doesnot have a strong enough tool, or one correctly configured for the jobat hand Round edges of spoons do poorly for effectively moving the bodyof candy mixture around a work surface. Spatulas either melt or flex tomuch as the candy hardens.

The features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in thedescription that follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by the practice of the disclosure withoutundue experimentation. The features and advantages of the disclosure maybe realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out herein.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An embodiment may comprise a use of an apparatus that comprises a bladeportion made of substantially rigid material. Said blade portion mayhave a first scraping edge and a handle attachment structure. Theapparatus may further comprise a first mixing plane opposing a secondmixing plane and a second scraping edge and a third scraping edgedisposed between said handle attachment structure and said firstscraping edge. There may also be a handle portion having a length threetimes greater than said second scraping edge for leverage, and whereinsaid handle portion is attached to said blade portion by a plurality offasteners and fastened through said handle attachment structure. The useof the apparatus may include scraping said blade along a mixing surfaceso as to push a plurality of portions of a candy body in a plurality ofdirections so as to mix air into said candy body and cool said candybody. The use may further comprise testing said candy body to determinethe consistency of the candy body.

An embodiment may further include using said apparatus to maintain asingle candy body, or may include using said apparatus to divide asingle candy body in to a plurality of candy bodies. Additionally, anembodiment may include scraping said first scraping edge along saidmixing surface, and/or, a second scraping edge along said mixingsurface. Consistent with the above, the use may further include scrapinga third scraping edge along said mixing surface. The use of such anapparatus may further include adding a flavoring to said candy body andmixing in said flavoring with said apparatus.

An embodiment may be formulated into a system including an apparatusconsistent with the above, a mixing surface, and additional candy makingingredients. In various embodiments the mixing surface maybe made ofstone, metal, wood, plastic or other suitable material. The system mayfurther include blade attachments that would aid the apparatus in beingused with various materials. Such blade attachments may protect theblade and surface alike. The blade attachments may further includeattachment structures for attaching to the blade or may be simplyfriction fit.

An embodiment may take the form of a kit wherein differing apparatusesmay be included therein. For example, such a kit may comprise a largeapparatus and a small apparatus, wherein the plurality of apparatusesmay be used at differing portions of the candy making process.

An embodiment consistent with the disclosure may include a blade portionmade of substantially ridged material, wherein the blade portion has afirst, second and third scraping edge. The blade portion may furtherinclude a protrusion or structure for attaching and handle thereto. Theblade portion may also include first and second mixing planes for mixingcandy thereby and thereon. The handle portion may be sized so as to beat least three times the length of the blade portion in order to provideadequate leverage for a user. Additionally, the blade portion may beattached to said handle portion with a plurality of fasteners to resistrelative rotation between the components during use. An embodiment mayinclude a handle attachment structure that protrudes into said handle.An embodiment may include a first scraping edge cover, wherein saidcover is made of a different material than said blade portion. Anembodiment may include a cover made of rubber or another polymericmaterial. An embodiment may include a handle that is made of wood, andwherein the handle has a contour therein for increased usability. Anembodiment may comprise a handle that is made out of metallic materialor a plastic material. An embodiment may have a blade portion made outof plastic, wood or metal. An embodiment may comprise a blade portionhaving a flexible tip or flexible tip covers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent froma consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented inconnection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of the features of thedisclosure and made in accordance with the teachings and principles ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an embodiment of a candy making device madein accordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an embodiment of a candy making apparatusmade in accordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the use of an embodiment of an apparatusfor making candy in accordance with the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an embodiment of a candy making device madein accordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an embodiment of a candy making device madein accordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an embodiment of a candy making device madein accordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an embodiment of a candy making device madein accordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure; and

FIGS. 9 a - 9 f illustrate the use of a candy making apparatus made inaccordance with the teachings and principles of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles inaccordance with the disclosure, reference will now be made to theembodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will beused to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that nolimitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Anyalterations and further modifications of the inventive featuresillustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles ofthe disclosure as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to oneskilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure,are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure claimed.

Before the devices, systems, methods and processes for aerating andmixing a candy body are disclosed and described, it is to be understoodthat this disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments,configurations, or process steps disclosed herein as such embodiments,configurations, or process steps may vary somewhat. It is also to beunderstood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purposeof describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting since the scope of the disclosure will be limited only by theappended claims and equivalents thereof.

In describing and claiming the subject matter of the disclosure, thefollowing terminology will be used in accordance with the definitionsset out below.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,”“characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive oropen-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements ormethod steps.

As used herein, the phrase “consisting of” and grammatical equivalentsthereof exclude any element, step, or ingredient not specified in theclaim.

As used herein, the phrase “consisting essentially of” and grammaticalequivalents thereof limit the scope of a claim to the specifiedmaterials or steps and those that do not materially affect the basic andnovel characteristic or characteristics of the claimed disclosure.

With reference primarily to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the features of thedisclosure will be discussed generally. FIG. 1 illustrates a candymixing apparatus 100 for use in making candy. The candy mixing apparatus100 may comprise a blade portion 105 and a handle portion 110. The bladeportion 105 may be made of substantially rigid material such as a metal,plastic, or wood. The blade portion 105 may be attached to the handleportion 110 with fasteners 115. The blade portion 105 may compriseadditional structures that will be discussed in detail below.

As can be further seen in FIG. 1, the candy mixing apparatus 100 isinteracting with a work surface 210 in order to manipulate and mix abody of candy mixture 150. The work surface 210 may be made of marble,granite, stone, metal, wood, plastic or a combination thereof. As can beseen in the figure, as the candy mixing apparatus 100 is moved into thebody of candy mixture 150, the body of candy mixture 150 is manipulatedfrom its resting state. Manipulating the candy mixture 150 may aid inthe introduction of cooling air, coloring, flavorings or any manner ofingredients. An embodiment of the apparatus 100 may comprise a totallength of said apparatus 100 that may be about 24.5 inches and may havea handle width of about 1 inch by about 1.5 inches. The embodiment mayfurther comprise a paddle or blade portion 105 that may be about 4.5inches in height by about 3.5 inches in width and may be made from metalor other sufficiently rigid material. The embodiment may range in totallength from about 12 inches to about 24.5 inches. The embodiment mayhave a blade portion 105 that ranges from about 2 inches to about 4inches in width and have a height that ranges from about 2 inches toabout 5 inches. Embodiments of the handle portion 110 may range fromabout 1 inch by 1 inch to about 1 inch by 1.5 inches.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the blade portion 105 of the candy mixingapparatus 100 will be discussed in greater detail. As is illustrated inFIG. 2, the blade portion 105 may consist of three working or scrapingedges 107, 108, 109, positioned at the edges of the blade portion 105.During use, a user may employ all of the edges in the candy makingprocess. For example, when maximum leverage is needed, scraping edge 108may be employed to take advantage of the maximum leverage of the handleportion 110. In other operations, side scraping edges 107 and 109 may beemployed.

As further can be seen in FIG. 2, the blade portion 105 may be shorterthan the handle portion 110. In some embodiments, the ratio of handlelength to blade length could exceed 3:1, and may have a range of valuesof about 2:1 to 6:1. Additionally, a user may choose to “choke” down onthe handle portion 110 for quicker movement, much like a baseball playerchokes down on a baseball bat. It may be further noted that the locationof fasteners 115, and type of fasteners 115 should be chosen withsufficient dimensions to handle the load placed thereon, such that theblade portion 105 does not move relative to the handle portion 110. Theblade portion 105 may further have a protrusion or attachment structure116 for attaching the blade portion 105 to the handle portion 110. Itwill be appreciated that the attachment structure 116 will mechanicallyinteract with the handle portion 110 and fasteners 115.

Additionally, FIG. 2 illustrates two working planes, namely plane A andplane B, on the blade portion 105. The working planes A and Bstructurally separate the scraping edges 107, 108, 109, and operate in amanner to manipulate the candy mixture.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the handle portion 110 of the candy mixingapparatus 100 will be discussed. Illustrated in FIG. 3 is a side view ofthe candy mixing apparatus 100. It should be noted that the drawings arenot intended to be to scale, but are rather intended to best illustratethe features of the disclosure. The handle portion 110 may beconstructed of wood or other suitable material. The choice of wood thatmay be chosen as the handle portion may include a rustic or other finishor qualities to provide an heirloom for an aesthetically pleasingdevice. Wood may also be chosen for its properties, such as rigidity,gripability, and workability. Other materials may be used as well suchas metal or plastics. As can be seen in the figure, fasteners 115 mayspan the complete width of the candy mixing apparatus 100.

Additional fastening means are contemplated and are intended to fallwithin the scope of this disclosure. For example, bands around thehandle 110 and blade 105 portions may hold the two together.Additionally, a quality glue may be used the hold the componentstogether, and the fasteners may be of any known in the art today, orthose yet to be develops. And finally, the fasteners may be recessed inthe material of the associated handle portion 110.

Illustrated in FIG. 4 is an embodiment of use for the candy mixingapparatus 100. As can be seen in the figure, a user may grasp the handleportion 110 comfortably and move the blade portion 105 into the body ofcandy mixture 150 on the work surface 210. As stated above, a user maychoose to “choke” down on the handle portion 110 for quicker movement,much like a baseball player chokes down on a baseball bat.

Referring now to FIG. 5, additional functionality of the apparatus 100is shown from that of FIG. 4. One of the advantages of providing ahandle 110 as described herein, may be that it is of such a size thatthe user may grip the handle in varying hand holds or positions asadditional leverage is needed or as fatigue sets in. As can be seen inFIG. 5, the user has reversed the grip previously illustrated in FIG. 4.The user has done this while doing a similar scraping action, but withthe result of using a different set of muscles, which may aid inreducing fatigue. In FIG. 4, the majority of the effort is being used topull the tool or apparatus 100 toward the user. In contrast, the actionof FIG. 5 is to push the tool or apparatus 100 away from the user. Suchrepeated motions with the disclosed candy mixing apparatus 100 can beused to manipulate the making of candy.

Referring now to FIG. 6, an embodiment of a candy mixing apparatus 300is shown as having a blade portion 305 configuration wherein angles Aand B are not ninety (90) degree angles. By changing the angles betweenthe scraping edges, e.g., between the first scraping edge and the secondand third scraping edge, of the blade portion 305 different userpositions can be enabled. For example, where angle A is greater thanninety degrees, a user will be able to keep his/her hands further awayfrom the material being worked. A flared blade portion 305 configurationprovides differing scraping and leverage angles for various uses. It iswithin the scope of this disclosure to contemplate embodiments havingangles greater than 90 degrees and less than 90 degrees.

Illustrated in FIG. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a candy mixingapparatus 400. It should be noted that the drawings are not intended tobe to scale, but are rather intended to best illustrate the features ofthe disclosure. The handle portion 410 may be constructed of wood orother suitable material. A choice of wood may be made for its rustic orheirloom qualities for an aesthetically pleasing device. Wood may alsobe chosen for its properties, such as rigidity, gripability, andworkability. Other materials maybe used as well such as metal orplastics. As can be seen in the figure, fasteners 415 may span thecomplete width of the candy mixing apparatus 400.

Additional fastening means are contemplated and are intended to fallwithin the scope of this disclosure. For example, bands around thehandle 410 and blade 405 portions may hold the two together.Additionally, a quality glue may be used the hold the componentstogether, and the fasteners may be of any known in the art today, orthose yet to be developed. And finally, the fasteners may be recessed inthe material of the associated handle 410.

As is illustrated in FIG. 7, the blade portion 405 may consist of threeworking or scraping edges positioned at the edges of the blade portion405. During use a user may employ all of the edges in the candy makingprocess. For example, when maximum leverage is needed, the frontscraping edge may be employed to take advantage of all of the leverageof the handle portion 410. In other operations the side scraping edgesmay be employed.

As further can be seen in FIG. 7 the blade portion 405 may be shorterthan the handle portion 410. In some embodiments the ratio of handle toblade length could exceed 3:1, and may have a range of values of about2:1 to about 6:1. Additionally, a user may choose to “choke” down on thehandle portion 410 for quicker movement, much like a baseball playerchokes down on a baseball bat. It may be further noted that the locationof fasteners 415, and type of fasteners 415 should be chosen withsufficient dimensions to handle the load placed thereon, such that theblade portion 405 does not move relative to the handle portion 410. Theblade portion 405 may further have a protrusion or attachment structure416 for attaching the blade portion 405 to the handle portion 410. Itwill be appreciated that the attachment structure 416 will mechanicallyinteract with the handle portion 410 and fasteners 415.

Additionally illustrated in the FIG. 7 are beveled or tapered profiles419 for the edges of the blade 405. The profile of the scraping edgesmay comprise a simple bevel, or may comprise a rounder profile. Suchshaping of the blade edge may increase the scraping ability of the bladeportion 405 as to various work surfaces. For example, a bevel profilemay work well with a work surface such as stone, while another profileshape would work better with metal surfaces, while yet another wouldwork better with wood or plastic surfaces.

Illustrated in FIG. 8 is a front view of an embodiment of a candy mixingapparatus 500. The candy mixing apparatus 500 may comprise a bladeportion 505 and a handle portion 510. The blade portion 505 may be madeof substantially rigid material such as a metal, plastic, or wood. Theblade portion 505 may be attached to the handle portion 510 withfasteners 515. The blade portion 505 may comprise additional structuresthat will be discussed in detail below.

As can be further seen in FIG. 8, the candy mixing apparatus 500 isinteracting with a work surface 580 in order to manipulate and mix abody of candy mixture 588. The work surface 580 may be made of marble,granite, stone, metal, wood, and plastic. As can be seen in the figure,as the candy mixing apparatus 500 is moved into the body of candymixture 588, the body of candy mixture 588 is manipulated from itsresting state. Manipulating the candy mixture 588 may aid in theintroduction of cooling air, coloring, flavorings or any manner ofingredients.

As stated above, various materials can be used for a work surface.Depending upon the work surface chosen, and to aid in the versatility ofthe candy mixing apparatus 500, a cover 550 may be placed over an edgeon the blade portion 505 for protecting the work surfaces and/or theblade edges. Such a cover may be attached to the blade portion 505 via afriction fit or may be attached with other attachment structures. Thecover 550 may be made of plastic, nylon, rubber, wood, or any othermaterial suitable for use with various working surfaces made fromvarious materials. The cover 550 may provide a squeegee effect to aid inthe mixing process. A plurality of covers 550 may be provided and usedto increase the versatility of the candy mixing apparatus 500. A kit maycomprise a candy mixing apparatus 500 and may comprise a cover 550. Akit may further comprise a plurality of covers 550 and another kit maycomprise a plurality of candy mixing apparatuses 500.

Illustrated in FIGS. 9 a - 9 f is a method of using an apparatus formixing candy consistent with the disclosure herein. As can be seen inFIG. 9 a, by a user placing one hand at the top of the handle, andplacing the other hand at the bottom of the handle near the blade, auser can control the candy mixing apparatus with ease. As shown in FIG.9 a a user can pull the blade portion toward themself, or in a reversemotion push material away from themself.

As shown in FIG. 9 b, a user can use the palm of his/her upper hand todrive the blade portion to thereby scrape along a work surface. FIG. 9 cillustrates a use of the candy mixing apparatus wherein a user can pullthe blade portion toward themself, or in a reverse motion push materialaway from themself. FIG. 9 d illustrates that a user can use the candymixing apparatus laterally off to the side of the body. FIGS. 9 e - 9 fillustrate that the candy mixing apparatus can be used to scrapelatterly across a work surface as a user progresses from the position of9 e to the position of 9 f.

During any of the above uses coloring or flavoring may be added to thebody of candy along with other ingredients. By doing the stepsillustrated and described above, a body of candy can be worked into thedesired finished product.

In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features of thedisclosure are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purposeof streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to beinterpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed disclosurerequires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather,as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than allfeatures of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the followingclaims are hereby incorporated into this Detailed Description of theDisclosure by this reference, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment of the disclosure.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the disclosure.Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised bythose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe disclosure and the appended claims are intended to cover suchmodifications and arrangements. Thus, while the disclosure has beenshown in the drawings and described above with particularity and detail,it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerousmodifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size,materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly anduse may be made without departing from the principles and concepts setforth herein.

1. A method for modifying a body of candy comprising: manipulating abody of malleable candy with an apparatus that comprises: a bladeportion made of substantially rigid material comprising: a firstscraping edge; a handle attachment structure; a first mixing planeopposing a second mixing plane; a second scraping edge and a thirdscraping edge disposed between said handle attachment structure and saidfirst scraping edge; a handle portion having a length at least threetimes greater than said second scraping edge; and wherein said handleportion is attached to said blade portion by a plurality of fastenersand fastened through said handle attachment structure; scraping saidblade along a mixing surface so as to push a plurality of portions ofsaid body of candy in a plurality of directions so as to mix air intosaid body of candy and cool said body of candy; testing said body ofcandy to determine consistency of said body of candy.
 2. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising using said apparatus to maintain a singlecandy body.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising using saidapparatus to divide a single candy body in to a plurality of candybodies.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising scraping said firstscraping edge along said mixing surface.
 5. The method of claim 1further comprising scraping said second scraping edge along said mixingsurface.
 6. The method of claim 1 further comprising scraping said thirdscraping edge along said mixing surface.
 7. The method of claim 1further comprising adding a flavoring to said candy body and mixing insaid flavoring with said apparatus.
 8. The system for making candycomprising: an apparatus for making candy comprising: a blade portionmade of substantially ridged material comprising: a first scraping edge;a handle attachment structure; a first mixing plane opposing a secondmixing plane; a second scraping edge and a third scraping edge disposedbetween said handle attachment structure and said first scraping edge; ahandle portion having a length at least three times greater than saidsecond scraping edge; wherein said handle portion is attached to saidblade portion by a plurality of fasteners and fastened through saidhandle attachment structure; and a mixing surface device having a flatmixing surface.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein said mixing surfacecomprises stone.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein said mixing surfacecomprises metal.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein said mixing surfacecomprises wood.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein said apparatusfurther comprises a cover for said blade.
 13. The system of claim 8,wherein said apparatus further comprises a plurality of covers for saidblade.
 14. The kit for making candy comprising: a first apparatus formaking candy comprising: a blade portion made of substantially ridgedmaterial comprising: a first scraping edge; a handle attachmentstructure; a first mixing plane opposing a second mixing plane; a secondscraping edge and a third scraping edge disposed between said handleattachment structure and said first scraping edge; a handle portionhaving a length at least three times greater than said second scrapingedge; wherein said handle portion is attached to said blade portion by aplurality of fasteners and fastened through said handle attachmentstructure; a second apparatus for making candy comprising: a bladeportion made of substantially ridged material comprising: a firstscraping edge; a handle attachment structure; a first mixing planeopposing a second mixing plane; a second scraping edge and a thirdscraping edge disposed between said handle attachment structure and saidfirst scraping edge; a handle portion having a length three timesgreater than said second scraping edge; wherein said handle portion isattached to said blade portion by a plurality of fasteners and fastenedthrough said handle attachment structure; and wherein said secondapparatus is smaller than said first apparatus.
 15. The kit of claim 14further comprising a mixing surface device.
 16. An apparatus for makingcandy comprising: a blade portion made of substantially ridged materialcomprising: a first scraping edge; a handle attachment structure; afirst mixing plane opposing a second mixing plane; a second scrapingedge and a third scraping edge disposed between said handle attachmentstructure and said first scraping edge; a handle portion having a lengthat least three times greater than said second scraping edge; and whereinsaid handle portion is attached to said blade portion by a plurality offasteners and fastened through said handle attachment structure.
 17. Theapparatus for making candy of claim 16, wherein said handle attachmentstructure protrudes in to said handle.
 18. The apparatus for makingcandy of claim 16, further comprising a first edge cover.
 19. Theapparatus for making candy of claim 18 wherein said cover is made of adifferent material than said blade portion.
 20. The apparatus for makingcandy of claim 19 wherein said cover is made of a material comprisingrubber.
 21. The apparatus for making candy of claim 19 wherein saidcover is made of a material comprising a man made polymer.
 22. Theapparatus for making candy of claim 16 wherein said handle portion ismade of wood.
 23. The apparatus for making candy of claim 16 whereinsaid handle portion comprises a comfort contour.
 24. The apparatus formaking candy of claim 16 wherein said handle portion is made of metal.25. The apparatus for making candy of claim 16 wherein said handleportion is made of plastic.
 26. The apparatus for making candy of claim16 wherein said blade portion is made of metal.
 27. The apparatus formaking candy of claim 16 wherein said blade portion is made of plastic.28. The apparatus for making candy of claim 16 wherein said bladeportion is made of wood.